Metformin users-how long have you been taking it? - Page 3

candy43 · #31 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 12:24 PM

Cormac,

Thanks so much for the tips. All these tips should help with my ladies room use. Have a great weekend.

Candy

candy43 · #32 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 12:26 PM

Thanks Rich.

I will keep you posted. Have a great weekend.

candy

candy43 · #33 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 12:36 PM

Ron,

Thanks for responding to my post

That is good that you are off it since it had an effect of a poison on you. As safe as it seems to be, I don't like taking any meds I don't have to.

When you were having those symptoms were you on any other medications? I have heard a few people say the same as you about it being a poison. Right now, I seem to need Metformin for my numbers so I'm willing to put up with the ladie's room visits, at least for now. Have a great weekend.

candy

Lloyd · #34 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 12:42 PM

14 years at max dosage and no problems.

-Lloyd

Petruchio · #35 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by candy43

Petruchio,

Thank you for responding. You know quite a bit about dawn pheno. and Beta cells.

Taking the one metformin with dinner hasn't Seemed to help since my morning numbers are still in the 120's but maybe before, they were even worse. What I might try to get those morning numbers even lower is to take one right before bed with a very small snack. I am on ER.

Wow, so taking Metformin should actually give my beta cells a break by causing me to need less insulin, thus being less insulin resistant, thus causing less stress. That makes complete sense.

Dude! I am feeling better about taking metformin. Have a great weekend Petruchio.

candy

Everything I learned about dawn phenomenon I learned right HERE on diabetesforums. There are a lot of very knowledgeable folks here. Metformin I learned about not only here but from taking it for over two years now.

I am assuming from your posts and start date that you are still new to Metformin use. I am just guessing that you take one 500mg of Metformin ER per day at Dinner. Please let me say this as gently as I can . . . DON'T ARBITRARILY ADD A BEDTIME DOSE WITHOUT DISCUSSING WITH YOUR DOCTOR! [resuming my normal calm demeanor

]
Metformin dose can (and does) range from 500mg once a day to over 2000mg per day split with all meals. Every Diabetic is different, and each must work out a dosing schedule with their Doctor that works for them. It may just take going from 500mg of Met ER to 750mg at dinner. Or, maybe 500 with Breakfast and 500 (or 750) with Dinner. Or, it can take up to 6 weeks or more for Met to "kick in" fully. Maybe for you it has not reached it's max benefit for the dose you are on. Also, what works today for you might not work as well in a year from now.

The best advice I can pass on to you is: Relax, take a deep breath. You must master Diabetes, don't let it master you. When you were diagnosed all that happened is that modern medical science has verified what everyone you ever met already knew . . . You are a sweet person! [grin] There is a book that others here recommend written by Gretchen Becker called The First Year Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. (Amazon link for info purposes only HERE ) When I was diagnosed, the 2 things I did that got me through it were that book and joining this forum.

princesslinda · #36 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 01:31 PM

Candy, were you going to take your dinner dose of metformin at bedtime, or were you planning to add another dose? I thought you meant you were going to take it at bedtime rather than with dinner (when I took metformin, i've done this and it did help with morning #s). If you do just take your 2nd dose later, make sure you have something on your stomach.

Like Petrucio says, don't add an extra dose, or you may get more than you've bargained for gastric wise and low blood sugar wise.

candy43 · #37 (**permalink**) 07-12-2008, 12:55 PM

Lloyd,

Good to know.

makes me feel better. What is max dosage out of curiousity? (sp)

Candy

candy43 · #38 (**permalink**) 07-12-2008, 01:01 PM

Petruchio,

I am new to Met! And my doctor just handed me a prescription and said fill this and the pharmacist is always super-busy though nice so I appreciate your info.

I'm taking 1000 mg so not sure what the doc will recommend but I can usually get my numbers down with exercise once a day so maybe I'll ask doc if I can take one before bed, and one with lunch, the biggest meal of day...something like that.

Thanks for the safety warning though.

I appreciate it.

Candy

candy43 · #39 (**permalink**) 07-12-2008, 01:09 PM

PrincessLinda,

Yes, I am going to ask my doc if I can take the dinner dose at bedtime after a very small cup of oats or bran cereal because exercise has really been helping my after dinner, night-time numbers anyway. I added weight-lifting 15 reps of low pound weights breathing out when lifting and in when lowering. I was breathing wrong before and my blood pressure elevated to 160a couple times!!! My bp is usually 120 or at one time, 130 at max a year ago. I go to the 80's often at night but mornings at 120 or more still!! I'll likely ask about taking one at lunch since a. I eat more then and b. i don't exercise after lunch.

I won't overdose, promise, but i really appreciate you and Pet. looking out for me.

How are you doing? Hope you have a great weekend!

candy

twyggers · #40 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 07:05 PM

Have been on 750mg extended release and have no side effects, but reading the post maybe, when and if I have to increase the dosage, I'll be relegated to the spare bedroom! Still waiting for the weight loss to kick in, I need it!!!!

TeeJaxx · #41 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 09:42 AM

Hi Candy,
I have been on Metformin for almost 5 years now. I take 5 x 500 mgs a day. 2 with breakfast, and 3 with supper. The dr. had originally told me to take 3 with breakfast (plus I take a Diamicron) That combo gave me incredible lows (2.3) by 11:30am. I spoke with him, and we agreed to try 2 in the morning with Diamicron, and the other 3 in the evening. That seems to be the secret formula that works for me!!

As for side effects, I (like some of the others here) do experience problems if I eat to much (Chinese food!!!!

) but since the metformin seems to really curb my appitite, I seldom eat too much. My weight has stayed within the same 5 pound range for the last 4 years.

I guess, by reading here, everyone is different, and everyone's body reacts differently to it. I hope it works for you.

Theresa

rededmcm · #42 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 10:05 AM

I have been on 1500 mg of Metformin ER per day for 3 years.
It,along with diet and exercise and a couple of herbal supplements,keeps my bG under control.One thing about
Metformin:you can't take it if your kidney function is impaired.
Cheers
Eddie

Aslosman · #43 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 11:49 AM

I hate my metformin, but Dr. won't give me my Avandia back

Scrabblechick · #44 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 12:47 PM

I've been on Met since February. After the initial couple of weeks of side effects, I've had no problems. I take 1000 mg in the a.m. after breakfast, and 1000 mg after supper.

jerryn · #45 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 12:58 PM

I'm on Metformin 500mg 1 in the morning 3 at night

I can tolerate it well. But I can't have a cold beer or anything like that since it's 1 beer while on this stuff would hit you like you had 8 drinks. So while on Metformin I don't think your liver is as effecient as a detixifier. You have to look at the risk. My Dr is going to take me off Metformin when my A1C is 6.3 or below for two visits in a row.

Also.. occasionally you have to take a Metformin Dump